Socceroos better by a Mile for qualifiers

The Socceroos will be bolstered by the return of captain Mile Jedinak and goalkeeper Mat Ryan for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh.

Jedinak (hamstring) and Ryan (knee) have not played for Australia since the opening match of World Cup qualifying against Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek in June.

The star pair gives Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou added firepower for the respective matches in Canberra on November 12, and Dhaka on November 17.

Ryan is back after surgery for a meniscus injury while playing for Spanish La Liga team Valencia.
"Maty Ryan is not 100% yet, but we're hoping by the time the game comes around he'll be back in full training and available for selection," Postecoglou said.

Perth Glory defender Josh Risdon - uncapped at this level - joins the 23-man squad as a bolter.
Postecoglou said Kyrgyzstan - ranked 146th in the world - would still provide tough opposition.

"They're always a challenge. They got a draw away in Jordan in a game they probably should've won," he said.

The Socceroos are in second spot in Group B after their away loss to Jordan earlier this month, but Postecoglou said he was confident his team could still make the next round of qualifiers.

"We don't take anything for granted, but we've got three of our last four at home, and we want to be the strongest opponent possible to anyone we play here in Australia," he said.